- Details
- Published: 02 July 2023
BY MEGAN CREIG
In 2010, The Elder Mistreatment Helpline (Ligne Aide Abus Aînés, LAAA for short) launched as part of the first Governmental Action Plan to Counter Elder Abuse. LAAA, managed by the health network of CIUSSS West-Central Montreal, replaced the 1995 volunteer Info-Abuse line.
With the renewal of this action plan, first in 2017 and then again in 2022, the line remained in operation, and on April 6, the Act to combat maltreatment of seniors and other adults in vulnerable situations was enhanced. The Government of Québec details this enhancement as “an effort to strengthen the fight against the maltreatment of seniors and other persons of full age in vulnerable situations and to monitor the quality of health and social services.” Now, with the release of a third instalment of this plan, maintaining the services of a help, assessment and referral centre for mistreatment, LAAA has been given a new name.
The Elder Mistreatment Helpline is now, simply, The Mistreatment Helpline (Ligne Aide Maltraitance Adultes et Aînés). This name change “is intended to highlight the line’s new mandate, its expanded clientele, as well as the evolution of mistreatment terminology.”
To address this expanded clientele, Québec has already begun deploying hotline services in each of its regions. Services have already been deployed in several regions including Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord, Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Laval, Nunavik, the Outaouais, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, and Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie-James/Nord-du-Québec. Helpline services will be available in all regions by October.
The Mistreatment Helpline will continue with its objective to provide older adults in vulnerable situations with help and resources. Individuals who call the line will be connected with a speaker who has professional experience in psychosocial interventions and specialised training related to the mistreatment of older adults.
These professionals are also equipped to aid older adults in need, address the concerns of friends and family members, and/or provide consultation for other professionals working in a variety of sectors. They are also “sensitized to the realities of LGBTQ2S+ individuals, as well as the realities of First Nations and Inuit people,” with some services adapted to these communities in Québec.
The number for the line is 1 888 489-2287 and can be reached daily between the hours of 8 AM and 8 PM, voicemail available after-hours.
